CLARISSE BANDEIRA DE MELLO was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and moved to Florida in 1990. 

With degrees in the Portuguese and English Languages and Literature, and a Master’s Degree in Spanish Language and Literatures, she works as a translator, interpreter and is a former adjunct professor at Florida International University. She has several works on Portuguese translation and teaching in academic publications. 

Clarisse writes short stories and poems, having received literary awards both in Brazil and the United States. Reading, cooking and traveling are her favorite hobbies, as well as participating in literary groups for the study of Brazilian and Portuguese literatures. 

She lives with her husband in Weston, FL, has two daughters and four grandchildren.